Former TTD Chairman Challenges Allegations with Truth Test Offer
In a dramatic development, former chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy has declared his readiness to undergo both "Satya Sodhana Pariksha" and a lie detector test to establish his innocence in the ongoing TTD laddu ghee adulteration and Parakamani cases. The cases are currently being investigated by a CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) and AP-CID following directives from both the Supreme Court and Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Political Misinformation Campaign Alleged
Addressing media representatives in New Delhi on Thursday, the former TTD chief expressed deep concern about what he described as calculated misinformation campaigns dragging the sacred Tirumala temple into political controversies. Subba Reddy strongly criticized what he called selective leaks and speculative figures that are compromising the sanctity of the sacred Tirumala Laddu prasadams, even as the Supreme Court-ordered SIT investigation remains in progress.
"The TTD administration provided incomplete figures, speculative calculations and unverified interpretations to the media," Subba Reddy lamented. He specifically challenged claims that 20 crore laddus were adulterated at Tirumala between 2019-2024, emphasizing that these allegations lack scientific evidence.
Questions Raised About Ghee Supply Chain
Citing the SIT's remand report, the former TTD chairman revealed crucial details about the ghee supply controversy. He pointed out that four ghee tankers from Tamil Nadu-based AR Dairy, which were initially rejected by TTD in June-July 2024, were later supplied to the Tirupati trust in August 2024 under different supplier names during Chandrababu Naidu's government.
"But even today, there is no clarity if the suspected ghee tankers ever entered into laddu production and whether animal fat was present or not," Subba Reddy stated, raising questions about the actual contamination evidence.
Ghee Procurement Price Controversy
The former TTD chief also addressed allegations regarding ghee procurement prices, calling them distorted information meant to support malicious propaganda. He explained that ghee prices naturally fluctuate every six months based on tender processes and various external market factors.
"While ghee was procured at Rs.326/kg only once during our tenure, there was also a time when we procured ghee at Rs.400/kg," Subba Reddy clarified. He provided comparative data showing that during the previous TDP government between 2014-2019, ghee was purchased at Rs.219, Rs.276 and Rs.295 per kg.
He questioned the opposition's logic: "Now going by their logic that ghee procured at low prices is impure, should we construe that ghee procured during the previous Chandrababu Naidu government was impure?"
Demand for Expanded Investigation Scope
Subba Reddy argued that limiting the SIT investigation to the 2019-2024 period is improper and insufficient. He revealed that during his interrogation, he requested the SIT to extend the investigation scope to cover a ten-year period to obtain a comprehensive understanding of ghee procurement practices in TTD over the last decade and a half.
The former chairman also highlighted the numerous positive initiatives launched during his four-year tenure and emphasized that none of his family members were involved in any corruption or scandals during his leadership period.
Reiterating his commitment to clear his name, Subba Reddy confirmed his willingness to undergo both traditional Satya Sodhana Pariksha and modern lie detector tests to prove his complete innocence in both the TTD laddu ghee adulteration and Parakamani cases that have attracted national attention and judicial scrutiny.
